As spring arrives it’s time to prepare your garden for the warm, dry months ahead. Here are our top 8 tips for getting your garden ready.
1. Feeding
With all the water around from winter rains it’s vital we make sure the plants are in a position to make use of it for new new growth. Strong plants are also waterwise in the coming summer heat so it’s essential to beef them up now. Start by composting heavily in the beds and actively feed your roses, hydrangeas and lawns with organic fertilisers as these need extra nutrients.
Pot plants have generally been severely neglected over winter so make sure to give them a boost of Biotrissol or Nitrosol liquid plant food plus a layer of compost.
2. Planting
Take note of what did well in the dry weather last summer and make sure you plant more of them. Sticking to a limited palette can sound boring but makes your garden low maintenance and less fussy. Invest in flowering bulbs so you can have a great display later in the season. Now is also the time to start replenishing herb gardens with things like sweet basil and lettuces.

An edible garden
3. Trimming and pruning
Maybe winter was too cold to get out and tackle projects so it’s vital you get out there and make sure ornamental grasses have been cleaned up. Start by checking to see where you can lift tree canopies and prune out crossing branches, especially in citrus trees which need air movement through the canopy to fruit properly. Spring flowering fynbos like confetti bushes and proteas also benefit from a prune after the flowers fade to prevent them from becoming straggly.
4. Mulching
Before the summer heat arrives it’s important to cover the soil with a layer of mulch. This will keep the sun from heating up bare patches, keep moisture in and stop the wind from carrying away your precious topsoil.
5. Pests
The warmer, moist weather brings out snails and other bugs so keep an eye out for any damage and treat quickly with organic products where possible. For example, Ferramol snail bait is a non-poisonous product that can be safely used in the garden.
6. Tree stakes and ties
Check that your stakes and ties are firm but not strangling your trees which are about to have a growth spurt and are at risk from strong summer winds.
7. Irrigation
If this has been off for a few months you may well need to service it and check that it is fully functional before the heat arrives.
8. Plant a tree and celebrate spring
Planting a tree is an ideal spring activity so you can take advantage of its shade in the coming months. Make sure it’s either a fruit tree whose crop you can enjoy, or an indigenous tree that provides sustenance and encourages birds and insects into your garden.
For help with any of this, do give us a call and we’ll help you bring out the best in your garden.
Credits
This post is adapted from an article about Red Daffodil originally published in SA Decor & Design (September 2020).